As of yesterday I am officially 28 years of age and it feels…pretty good, actually.
Some people hate their birthdays. Understandably comparing carefree youth with bills and perpetual acid reflux would sour anyone on getting older. Being that I am only 28, I am not a wise old owl in the position to tell anyone how to feel about birthdays but I am happy to share with you how I have come to regard my own.
From the age of 24 my body has been forced to share space with cancer- an asshole roommate that doesn’t pay rent and ignores eviction notices. I’m not one for focusing on survival rates and cancer stats because they’re not conducive to a positive frame of mind. Let’s just say, the stats are not typically in the favor of women with late stage ovarian cancer. That said, every birthday after 24 is more important than the last. Each passing January 4th is a trophy. It is a symbol that cancer isn’t winning.
Hey cancer- go kick rocks, I’m racking up birthdays here.
On Sunday my parents passed through Providence for birthday lunch at Red Stripe. Anyone that knows Providence well can appreciate that a chilly-day calls for Red Stripe tomato soup and grilled cheese (with pesto, pear, and prosciutto…nom nom nom). They also kindly treated me with gorgeous flowers and a fruit tart. It was a really nice time to catch up with one another. Who better to kick off your birthday with than the folks that were there since the beginning- you know, that day when the stork dropped me off at their doorstep.
Celebrations will resume this weekend but my actual birthday was just a quiet day at work followed by a quiet evening. Call me boring but after all of the fun and travel surrounding December’s holidays I’m happy to stay put and have some downtime. The festivities will resume this weekend with friends.
I was so touched by all of the phone calls, text messages, emails and facebook well-wishes yesterday! I am a very lucky girl to know so many thoughtful people.
Reading all of the kind birthday messages left me feeling like Ron Swanson on Snake Juice. THANK YOUUUUU!!!
The Cancer Chronicles 
Loved your post! Happy birthday……just a day late. 🎈🎂🎈
I’m not sure that I remember my 28th birthday and I know for a fact I did not have cancer! We should all learn to remember where we were and how it was at any age. Knowing that you have this illness is a rough road but you have been so very masterful about it and that you have shared it with us is evidence of what an amazingly wonderful human being you are at any age!! You have my blessings always. xo
Happy Birthday!! Glad you had a nice celebration, Jess. And you’re mom and dad are the greatest!!!!
Jess, thank you for sharing, “Twenty Eight.” You are wise and treasure each day! May you truly have many more birthdays with those that love you!
Happy Belated Birthday Jessie…..You are an amazing young lady!!! I will continue to pray for a miracle to rid your body of the cancer ~ keep up the fight ~ I know that it’s much easier for us to say that, then for you to struggle thru it ~ hope this year will find you feeling so much better & stronger than you have in the past few years!!!
Prayers 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻, Hugs 🙅🙅🙅🙅, Love 💕💕💕💕 , & a glass of wine 🍷😊
Happy 28th birthday, Jess. In my mind and heart I see and hear you and Katey together giggling and laughing during your childhood. You’re always in our hearts and prayers. ❤️🎂🍷